Treatment 3: Day 3

Hi All,

I'm doing well, even better than last session on my third day. I had my chemo treatment on Thursday. I had an allergic reaction to the Taxotere drug. I was talking with Don and felt like the band from the cold cap that was under my chin was getting tight. Then I started to get pain from my crotch upward through my abdomen. I realized that something was happening and Don got a nurse who came in right away and stopped the drug. The pain also went to my back and was very strong. I was injected with benadryl and a steriod which stopped the escalation of the pain and gradually diminished it. Fortunately, a solution came before there was time for panic to set in!  Wow, again I'm impressed with the staff, their attention and knowledge.

After waiting about twenty minutes, the Taxotere was started up much slower along with a saline solution. All went well after that. Cathy and Don were there to change my cold caps every 30 minutes. Cathy had a one-hour conference call with work during that time. Thank goodness for technology (and her knowledge of it) -- and her ability to multi-task!

I was given a Dammit Doll: "When you think you want to climb the walls or stand right up and shout, Here's a little DAMMIT DOLL you cannot do without. Just grab it firmly by the legs and find a place to slam it. And as you whack the stuffing, just yell, "Dammit, Dammit, Dammit!" I could have used this a month ago!

When we got home, Nance joined us to learn how to put on the caps in case Cathy was ill or unable. As she left, Cathy's friend, Amy, joined us to learn, too.  By 8:00pm when we finished, we all were tired.

Yesterday went well with a long-time friend's son visiting to see if Don could do some patent drawings for an incredible invention that he's working on. It was a delight to spend  time with him. I've known him since birth but as he's grown, only had the opportunity to be with him in group settings. He's one good person with his head on very straight and a wonderful heart.

I went to the doctor's office for my usual day-after Neulasta shot that helps my bones to produce white blood cells that boost my immune system. So far it's been working well.  This time my hemoglobin was just out of the low range. I'm eating lots of protein to maintain my energy (eggs, poultry, meat, dairy, beans, nuts, fish and whole grains).  It's something that can gradually get worse with each treatment that I want to avoid.

Later in the day, our good friends joined us for dinner. We had a wonderful time together chatting and catching up with our lives and viewed Donny's photos of Autorama on our big TV screen.

Today, I'm doing well. I'm avoiding Aleve and Motrin if I can, since it can be taxing to my liver. I'm feeling okay even though many patients complain of aches and pains from the Neulasta shot.

My friend, Sharon, sent me a book called, "My Healing Companion". It says Compliments of Roche Laboratories, Inc. on the back.  I went online and found that it is only available through a Roche rep. I'm going to mention it to my doctor's staff so that they can get it for other patients. It's a book for journaling and exploring thoughts and feelings with introductions on Why Me? (positive turning points in my life), I'm Overwhelmed by Anger (my anger, sadness and fears), I want to be Positive (turning negatives into positives), Whom can I Talk To? (who can I ask?), etc.

It's very well done with beautiful prompts and lots of room for writing, drawing and exploring. I look forward to using this journal to help me learn more about myself and to heal me in many ways.

Thanks for sticking with me through my journey. Keep sending your prayers, healing energy and good thoughts. They are (along with you) what are keeping me going so well.     hugs,  Joey/Josetta